CHAPTER HUNDRED.
Mirabelle’s POV.
I sat at the edge of my bed, gripping my knees tightly, the sound of my children giggling with their father over the laptop carried through the walls. But it only intensified the ache in my chest; why was this so hard? Why couldn’t I make sense of what I wanted anymore?
I didn’t want whatever was going on between Noah and me to affect the relationship with our children, but it seemed I was heading in that direction, and I wanted to stop it.
God knows I want Noah so fucking much; he was there for me when Ken and my sister did me dirty, and Noah gave me no space to be miserable, but what was I supposed to do now that I realised that he was the same as his stepbrother, my ex-husband?
After all, they were blood brothers. I wish to control my emotions and not feel anything, but unfortunately, that can’t be done.
The door creaked open, and Mika’s head popped in, her curls bouncing.
“Mummy, daddy said he loves you.”
She said with the kind of certainty that only children could muster.
I blinked, momentarily stunned. “He said that?”
She nodded enthusiastically. “He said he loves you and us and would fix everything when he returns.” She said with a big smile.
I was fine with him professing his love for his children, but he shouldn’t play with me like that.
I heard his voice that day; he didn’t want me. He wanted to divorce me; at this point, I was starting to think if anyone wanted me in their life.
Before I could respond, my last baby appeared behind Mika. “But why are you crying, mum? Is it because of the man who came earlier? Daddy didn’t like him.”
My breath hitched. “No baby, it’s not about him. I’m just tired.”
“Don’t cry, mummy,” Skylar said, and they all climbed onto the bed and hugged me.
“Daddy will fix it, he promised, and I trust Daddy; he never lets us down,” Mika said with so much conviction.
I held them close, tears sliding silently down my cheeks; how could I explain to her that promises don’t always mean much?
Before I could gather myself, Tyler added.
“He said he’s coming home soon, and he’ll make everything better. You believe in him, right?”
I nodded, forcing a smile.
“Yes, sweetheart, I do.”
“Good.”
We stayed like that for a while, and I decided it was time for them to sleep.
“Hey guys, let’s get you to bed,” I told them.
“But I still want to stay awake some more,” Tyler said.
“Boy, it’s only your dad that pampers you that way, but he isn’t around now. So we are doing it my way. It’s time for y’all to turn in.” I told them, and they grumbled but stood up anyway.
Some thirty minutes later, I finally got them tucked in.
I decided to treat myself to some alcohol because, at this point, I didn’t know what to do. I felt hopeless and useless. Everything was falling apart; they accused me at work, and now my husband might even be behind everything.
I needed to get drunk.
I went to the cellar and fetched some drinks for myself.
I was about to settle down to start my thing when Grandpa Ed cleared his throat.
“Mirabelle, how’re you?” He asked in his cool voice.
“Hey, Grandpa Ed. You woke up already?” I asked as I made space for him beside me.
“Yes, I woke up not too long ago.” He said, and I nodded.
“That’s cool, are you hungry? Do you want me to heat something for you?” I asked him, and he shook his head.
“No, I’m not in the mood to eat anything; I’ll just go for cereal later.” He said, and I nodded.
“Okay then, I was about to treat myself to some wine,” I said, pouring my wine into the cup.
“I can see that. Are you okay, Mirabelle?” He asked me, and I frowned.
“What do you mean?” I asked, lifting the cup to my lips and savouring the taste.
“I mean, are you okay? I see you holding everything in. That’s not healthy. How’s it going at the office?” He asked me, and I contemplated telling him everything was fine, but knowing Grandpa Ed, he would not leave it until he was satisfied.
“Not so well; I’ve been unable to do anything.”
“Your lawyer?”
“I’m about to get another lawyer and speak to another law firm. My lawyer told me to back down; she said I should resign. And I don’t even know anything about the things they said. I swear, Grandpa Ed, that day was the first time I saw those things.” I said, trying not to cry.
“I know, my dear, you are not greedy, which brings me to the next question. Do you know who is behind this, or is there anybody who would want to destroy you because of anything?” He asked, and my mind immediately went to my husband.
But I couldn’t tell him that now.
“I don’t know. They are probably just jealous; at my age, I have attained what they haven’t at their old age. I want to believe they are jealous that they are nowhere near me.” I told him, and he nodded.
“I get you, but I feel you should look into it more, my dear. Have you gotten a private investigator?” He asked.
“Is that really necessary? I believe it’s something that my lawyer can do.” I told him, sipping my wine.
“That takes time. Get a private investigator and see that they will get you answers in days. But they are expensive.” He said.
“Of course I know.”
I dropped the wine cup in my hand. I had not considered this approach; I needed to look into this matter carefully. I could ask the private investigator to look into my husband.
Hmmm…that was brilliant.
I’m sure that I could get evidence against him that way.
“Grandpa Ed, thank you. I didn’t think of hiring a PI.” I told him, and he smiled.
“Sometimes, all you have to do is talk to people, my dear. I’ll get that cereal now and turn in for the night.” He said and stood up.
“Do you need my help?” I asked him.
“Girl, I’m an old man, not an invalid.” He said, and I laughed.
I watched him walk off, brilliant ideas on how to take down my husband forming in my head, but not without the pain tugging at my heart.
I needed to do this.